If you’ve been on a construction or civil site in Australia, you’ve almost certainly worked alongside a skid steer loader, or heard one called a bobcat, posi-track or track loader depending on who you’re talking to. They’re compact, fast, versatile and capable of running a wide range of attachments. But when it comes to dry hire, not every skid steer is the same machine, and not every hire company carries the attachments that make them genuinely useful.
HammerHire (Australian Hammer Supplies Hire) stocks Kubota skid steers alongside a full range of compatible excavator attachments; including Digga auger drives and Epiroc hydraulic compaction plates, all available for dry hire in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. This guide covers what Kubota skid steers can do, which attachments work with them, how they compare to excavators, and what you need to know before you book.
What is a skid steer loader and what makes it different from an excavator?
A skid steer loader (also called a compact track loader or CTL when on rubber tracks) is a four-wheeled or tracked machine with a rigid frame that steers by varying the speed of its left and right drive systems, causing the wheels or tracks to skid across the surface. It’s a fundamentally different machine from an excavator in how it moves, what it can lift, and where it excels.
Where an excavator digs down and operates from a fixed position, a skid steer is a materials handling and work platform machine, it picks up, carries, grades and places. The loader arms in front accept a wide range of attachments, turning the machine from a bucket loader into an auger, a compactor, a grader blade or a screening bucket depending on what you bolt on.
Key advantages of a skid steer on site:
- Compact footprint — fits through gates and into areas an excavator can’t access
- Fast cycle times — bucket to dump truck in seconds, especially on flat ground
- Attachment versatility — one machine can perform multiple roles on the same job
- Low ground disturbance — rubber tracks are gentler on finished surfaces than excavator pads
- Simple transport — fits on a standard flat-top trailer without specialist permits
| Important distinction
A skid steer is not a substitute for an excavator where you need to dig. It is not designed to dig deep trenches or break rock. It is a materials handling and auxiliary machine. If your job needs both — moving material and digging — the right answer is often a skid steer paired with a small excavator, not one or the other. |
Kubota skid steers: the machines in HammerHire’s fleet
HammerHire stocks Kubota skid steer loaders; compact track loaders from one of Japan’s most trusted construction equipment manufacturers. Kubota’s SVL series (track loaders) are the dominant choice on Australian civil and construction sites for their reliability, parts availability and operator comfort.
Kubota SVL75-3 — the mid-size workhorse
The SVL75-3 is Kubota’s current-generation replacement for the proven SVL75-2, featuring a 74.3HP engine with higher torque output, a fully sealed pressurised one-piece cabin, 7-inch LCD touchscreen with keyless start, and an integrated reverse camera. The sealed cabin is a genuine advantage on dusty demolition or earthworks sites.
| Specification | Detail |
| Engine | Kubota 74.3HP diesel |
| Operating weight | Approx. 4,230 kg |
| Rated operating capacity | Approx. 998 kg (at 35% tipping load) |
| Hydraulic system | Standard flow and high-flow models available |
| Track width | Approx. 1,675 mm overall |
| Ground clearance | Approx. 211 mm |
| Cab | Fully sealed, pressurised, A/C, reverse camera |
Kubota SVL95-2s — the heavy-duty option
The SVL95-2s steps up to a 96.4HP engine and 5,250 kg operating weight, with a rated lift capacity of 1,451 kg at 35% tipping load (2,074 kg at 50%). The high-flow hydraulic option (152 LPM) is essential for running high-demand attachments like auger drives at full efficiency.
| Specification | Detail |
| Engine | 96.4HP diesel |
| Operating weight | 5,250 kg |
| Lift capacity at 35% TL | 1,451 kg |
| Lift capacity at 50% TL | 2,074 kg |
| Aux hydraulic — standard | 87.6 LPM |
| Aux hydraulic — high flow | 152 LPM |
| Travel speed | 8 / 11.7 km/h (low/high) |
For exact specifications relevant to your project, visit the official Kubota Australia product page:
Kubota Australia — SVL track loader series: kubota.com.au/products/construction/track-loaders/svl-series
Compatible attachments available from HammerHire
The skid steer’s quick-attach coupler system is what makes it genuinely versatile, but compatibility depends on hydraulic flow, quick-attach plate standard, and machine weight class. HammerHire’s attachment range includes several items that run directly on Kubota skid steers, as well as the full excavator attachment catalogue that may be bundled with a skid steer and excavator package hire.
Digga auger drives and bits
Digga is Australia’s leading manufacturer of auger drives and one of the most trusted brands on local civil and construction sites. Digga auger drives mount to the skid steer’s auxiliary hydraulic circuit and are available in standard and high-flow configurations to match the SVL75-3 and SVL95-2s.
Auger drives on a skid steer are ideal for:
- Post hole boring for fencing, signage, bollards and deck footings
- Pier and pad footings for lightweight structures and retaining walls
- Trenching and drainage installations in accessible areas
- Landscaping — tree planting and irrigation infrastructure
Bit selection depends on ground conditions. Standard earth bits suit clay, topsoil and loam. Rock teeth bits are required for shale, sandstone or any ground with rock content. Confirm your ground conditions with HammerHire before booking, using an earth bit in rock ground is one of the most common attachment misuse issues we see.
Epiroc hydraulic compaction plates
Epiroc’s excavator-mounted compaction plates also run on high-flow skid steers, making them a practical tool for trench backfill compaction in areas where a separate vibratory roller can’t access. The compaction plate mounts to the skid steer’s auxiliary hydraulic circuit and delivers consistent compaction force across the plate face.
Common applications on skid steer:
- Trench backfill compaction after pipe or conduit laying
- Sub-base preparation in confined access areas
- Compacting around structures, footings and retaining walls
General purpose and 4-in-1 buckets
Skid steer general purpose (GP) buckets and 4-in-1 combination buckets are standard attachments for bulk material handling, grading, levelling and site cleanup. The 4-in-1 bucket opens at the base like a clamshell, useful for collecting, dumping and spreading materials without a separate attachment change.
Pallet forks
Pallet forks are one of the most frequently fitted attachments on site, for moving palletised materials, pipe bundles, concrete blocks and formwork. Capacity is governed by the machine’s rated operating capacity, not the forks themselves. Always verify load weight against the machine’s load chart before lifting.
| Attachment compatibility — always confirm before booking
Not every attachment works with every skid steer configuration. High-flow attachments require the high-flow hydraulic option on the machine. Quick-attach coupler standards vary between manufacturers. Before booking any attachment hire, HammerHire’s team will confirm compatibility with your machine or the skid steer in our fleet.
Call 1800 HAMMER or enquire at hammerhire.com.au. |
Skid steer vs excavator: choosing the right machine for your job
This is the most common question we get from contractors booking compact equipment. The short answer: they’re not interchangeable, and in many jobs you benefit from having both.
| Specification | Detail |
| Machine | Best for |
| Skid steer (Kubota SVL series) | Materials handling, grading, flat-ground work, post holes, site cleanup |
| Mini excavator (Kubota 1.7T–8T) | Tight-access digging, trenching, landscaping, pool prep |
| Mid excavator (KATO 14T) | Residential and commercial earthworks, deeper trenching |
| Large excavator (CAT 20T–74T) | Bulk earthworks, demolition, major civil excavation |
A skid steer paired with a site dump truck is one of the most productive combinations on a residential or small commercial job, the skid steer loads, the dump truck moves material, and the site stays clean. HammerHire stocks AUSA site dump trucks (6T–10T) that pair directly with the Kubota skid steer range for exactly this purpose.
Pairing a Kubota skid steer with an AUSA site dump truck
AUSA site dump trucks are articulated, self-propelled dumpers designed for confined site use; they’re not road-registered trucks, they’re purpose-built site machines. The 6T–10T AUSA range that HammerHire stocks pairs directly with the Kubota SVL75-3 and SVL95-2s bucket capacity and cycle times.
The combination works like this: the skid steer loads the AUSA dumper from a stockpile or excavated material, the AUSA drives the load to the disposal or placement point and tips, then returns for the next load. On constrained sites where a full-size tipper truck can’t manoeuvre, this combination keeps material moving without compromising access.
Typical applications for the skid steer + AUSA combination:
- Residential site cleanup and spoil removal
- Landscaping and garden construction — topsoil, mulch, gravel movement
- Pool dig spoil loading and site tidying
- Slab preparation — moving sand, aggregate and base materials
- Warehouse and hardstand areas where tracked equipment can’t operate freely
Operator requirements and your WHS obligations for skid steer dry hire
Skid steer loaders (front end loaders of the skid steer type, classified as ‘LS’ under the previous licensing framework) do not require a High Risk Work Licence (HRWL) in Australia. This is confirmed by Safe Work Australia’s guidance on earthmoving equipment.
See: Safe Work Australia — plant and machinery duties
However, the absence of a formal licence requirement does not mean anyone can jump on a skid steer. Under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and Regulations, the PCBU, the person conducting the business or undertaking, typically the site manager, principal contractor, or business owner, is legally responsible for ensuring that every operator of a plant on their site is competent to operate that plant safely.
What ‘competent’ means in practice
According to Safe Work Australia’s guidance on plant operation, competency can be demonstrated through:
- A Statement of Attainment from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) for the relevant unit of competency — RIIMPO318F (Conduct civil construction skid steer loader operations) is the nationally recognised qualification
- Records of on-the-job training supervised by a competent person
- A Verification of Competency (VOC) assessment conducted by the PCBU or a third-party assessor
- Documented experience such as log books or letters of reference
When you hire a skid steer from HammerHire on a dry hire basis, you take on the responsibility for verifying your operator’s competency. This is not something HammerHire can do on your behalf, it is your WHS obligation as the PCBU on site.
The August 2025 HRWL rule change — what it means for skid steer operators
From 10 August 2025, Australian WHS regulations introduced a new requirement: a High Risk Work Licence is now required to operate earthmoving machinery as a crane, that is, when the machine is fitted with lifting equipment and used to suspend a load. This applies to excavators configured for lifting, and could apply to a skid steer fitted with a crane jib or lifting attachment.
If you plan to use a skid steer attachment that involves suspending a load, check with WorkSafe in your state or territory before proceeding.
What jobs are skid steers most commonly used for in Australian construction?
Based on the types of hire enquiries HammerHire processes across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Kubota skid steers are most frequently booked for:
Civil construction and earthworks
Skid steers are regulars on civil sites for cut-and-fill operations, spreading and grading base materials, cleaning up after excavators, and loading dump trucks. Their speed and manoeuvrability make them the site cleanup machine of choice, an excavator is slower and more expensive for moving loose material on the surface.
Demolition support
After a hydraulic hammer or combi cutter has broken up concrete or masonry, a skid steer with a GP or 4-in-1 bucket is the fastest way to move debris into a skip or dump truck. Many demolition jobs at HammerHire are booked as a package: Epiroc hydraulic hammer on a CAT excavator + Kubota skid steer for cleanup.
Landscaping and site preparation
For landscaping contractors, a Kubota skid steer with a Digga auger drive is a one-machine solution for post holes, pier footings and irrigation trenching, all on the same tool without changing machines. The low ground pressure of rubber tracks minimises surface damage on finished or semi-finished areas.
Residential construction
On residential sites, house pads, pool surrounds, retaining wall construction; the skid steer’s compact size lets it work in areas a full excavator would either damage or struggle to fit into. They’re particularly common on sloping blocks and infill development sites in Sydney and Melbourne’s inner suburbs.
Pipeline and drainage
In pipeline construction, a skid steer handles backfill spreading, pipe trench cleanup and compaction (with an Epiroc compaction plate) after the excavator does the digging. On jobs where multiple machine types are working, the skid steer keeps the site moving between excavation and pipe-laying phases.
Dry hire: what you’re responsible for when you hire a Kubota skid steer from HammerHire
Dry hire means the machine is hired without an operator. You get the Kubota skid steer delivered to site; your team operates it. This is the most common hire arrangement for contractors who have competent, experienced operators on the crew.
As the hirer under dry hire, your responsibilities include:
- Pre-start checks each shift — HammerHire supplies the pre-start checklist; your operator completes it
- Safe operation in accordance with the machine’s operator manual and your site’s safety management plan
- Verifying operator competency before allowing anyone to operate the machine
- Reporting any faults, damage or incidents to HammerHire immediately — our 24/7 technical support team is available on 1800 HAMMER
- Returning the machine in the same condition it was delivered (fair wear and tear accepted)
HammerHire maintains all machines in-house. Every Kubota skid steer in our fleet is serviced by our own technicians before dispatch, and we provide 24/7 technical support throughout your hire. If a machine goes down on site, we respond.
Regulatory references and further reading
The following are authoritative sources used in this article. We link to primary sources only — no aggregator content.
Safe Work Australia — plant and machinery duties for PCBUs: safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/managing-health-and-safety/plant
Safe Work Australia — managing risks of plant in the workplace (Code of Practice 2023): safeworkaustralia.gov.au (PDF)
WorkSafe WA — plant and machinery (includes August 2025 HRWL changes): worksafe.wa.gov.au/plant-and-machinery
Kubota Australia — SVL track loader product page: kubota.com.au/products/construction/track-loaders/svl-series
Digga Australia — auger drives: digga.com.au/products/auger-drives
Related HammerHire pages
Equipment hire Sydney: hammerhire.com.au/equipment-hire-sydney/
Excavator dry hire (1.7T–74T): hammerhire.com.au/excavator-dry-hire/
Attachment hire — full range: hammerhire.com.au/attachment-hire/
Auger drive hire: hammerhire.com.au/attachment-hire-sydney/auger-drive-bits/
| Ready to book a Kubota skid steer?
HammerHire supplies Kubota SVL skid steers for dry hire in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Daily, weekly and monthly rates available. Add a Digga auger or Epiroc compaction plate to your hire and save on mobilisation. 📞 1800 HAMMER (1800 426 637) · ✉️ sales@hammerhire.com.au |
Disclaimer: Machine specifications in this article are based on publicly available Kubota product documentation and third-party specification databases. Always confirm current specifications directly with HammerHire before booking. WHS information is provided as general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact your state or territory WHS regulator for jurisdiction-specific obligations.
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